Kickstarter Launches $39 AI-Powered PS5 Add-On Promising to Lower Exhaust Temperatures by 9°C

A new Kickstarter campaign is generating buzz with its innovative cooling unit designed for the PlayStation 5, claiming to tackle the overheating issues and even prevent situations where the rear I/O can become damaged by melting. At the time we checked, the campaign had already raised an impressive $89,000, with ambitions stretching towards a $125,000 target. The starting price tag for this cooling add-on is a reasonable $39.

Marketed under the name Arctic PS5 cooler, this accessory is boldly touted as the world’s first AI-driven cooling solution for PS5. Essentially, it’s a nifty clip-on vent that attaches neatly to the rear exhaust of Sony’s latest gaming console. Depending on the version, it features either four or six fans working tirelessly to keep temperatures down. Importantly, it’s powered via a single USB port and cleverly includes a pass-through option, ensuring you’re not missing out on any connectivity choices with your console.

The folks behind this Kickstarter, SCRY, have lined up three distinct versions of their cooler to cater to different PS5 models: one for the original PS5 (referred to somewhat humorously as the “fat” model by SCRY), another for the sleeker PS5 Slim, and finally, one for the newly launched PS5 Pro. The versions for the Pro and Slim models come equipped with four fans in total—three placed at the top and one strategically positioned at the bottom. The “fat” model gets an extra boost with six fans.

Throughout the Kickstarter page, SCRY places significant emphasis on their use of “smart thermal AI” to dynamically adjust fan speeds according to the PS5’s internal temperature. This seems somewhat akin to the tech that has been used in controlling PC fan speeds for years, though the specific distinguishing factors remain a bit of a mystery. As the temperature hits 50°C, these fans are designed to crank up to full speed in a bid to keep the console comfortably cool.

According to SCRY, their cooler can slash temperature by a notable 30% compared to what you’d see without it, dropping from a peak of 64°C to a more manageable 55°C. They even back up their claims with thermal camera imagery showcasing a 9-degree Celsius decrease at the ethernet port area, the hottest part of the PS5’s rear.

The coolers aim to address potential overheating issues associated with Sony’s latest console, especially following reports last year of such problems popping up in titles like Final Fantasy XVI. In some rare but concerning cases, overheating has been severe enough to cause the melting of connectors at the console’s rear.

Beyond the cooling units, SCRY is also taking the opportunity to spotlight a Gen 4 M.2 SSD paired with a heatsink as part of their campaign offerings.

Additionally, the campaign features a stretch goal system, wherein hitting the $125,000 mark could see backers receiving a complimentary “vertikal” universal PS5 stand. Further stretch goals set at $75,000 and $100,000 promise more yet-to-be-announced rewards once unlocked.